Comments on: “Do you remember the one about…” http://diversitymediaservices.com/blog/2008/do-you-remember-the-one-about/ Wed, 16 Jun 2010 19:03:51 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: The New Mainstream™ » Is multicultural Toronto resting on its laurels? http://diversitymediaservices.com/blog/2008/do-you-remember-the-one-about/comment-page-1/#comment-510 The New Mainstream™ » Is multicultural Toronto resting on its laurels? Mon, 22 Dec 2008 02:48:24 +0000 http://diversitymediaservices.com/blog/?p=21#comment-510 [...] get into an “us vs. them” discussion, let alone one that set up the Italian community, once again, as “playing victim” or not “having a sense of humour.” At the very least, [...] [...] get into an “us vs. them” discussion, let alone one that set up the Italian community, once again, as “playing victim” or not “having a sense of humour.” At the very least, [...]

]]> By: Joe M http://diversitymediaservices.com/blog/2008/do-you-remember-the-one-about/comment-page-1/#comment-18 Joe M Fri, 15 Aug 2008 19:46:08 +0000 http://diversitymediaservices.com/blog/?p=21#comment-18 This also raises discussion on another dimension of cultural sensitivity. I'm guessing in Spain and throughout a lot of Europe there isn't quite the same need or demand for the kind of sensitivity we demand in North America? Even south of the border cultural difference is not as 'celebrated' as it might be here in Canada. For that matter make a visit to Belleville, Ontario and test this issue out. I wouldn't be surprised to discover that Barcelona for example has a large and vibrant Chinese community. I would also not be surprised to learn it doesn't resonate in the overall buzz of Barcelona the way such a community resonates in Vancouver, Toronto or even foggy old San Francisco. This is an issue more because it became international than because it hits some fundamental human panic button. It doesn't change the visceral reaction many people around the world have had to the image but maybe it does underline the uniqueness of the situation rising in North America and Canada particularly. The Chinese or the Russian community in Toronto resonate the way they do because they are largely allowed to be who they want to be and can stay as uniquely 'other' as they want to so they do in fact stand out and a place like Toronto actually celebrates these commuities. In fact, Toronto offers them up as examples of what make it a great city to live in. Which in turn feeds the need or at least the opportunity to speak to each community in more than just their own language but also taking into account their special cultural nuance. This also raises discussion on another dimension of cultural sensitivity. I’m guessing in Spain and throughout a lot of Europe there isn’t quite the same need or demand for the kind of sensitivity we demand in North America? Even south of the border cultural difference is not as ‘celebrated’ as it might be here in Canada. For that matter make a visit to Belleville, Ontario and test this issue out.

I wouldn’t be surprised to discover that Barcelona for example has a large and vibrant Chinese community. I would also not be surprised to learn it doesn’t resonate in the overall buzz of Barcelona the way such a community resonates in Vancouver, Toronto or even foggy old San Francisco. This is an issue more because it became international than because it hits some fundamental human panic button.

It doesn’t change the visceral reaction many people around the world have had to the image but maybe it does underline the uniqueness of the situation rising in North America and Canada particularly. The Chinese or the Russian community in Toronto resonate the way they do because they are largely allowed to be who they want to be and can stay as uniquely ‘other’ as they want to so they do in fact stand out and a place like Toronto actually celebrates these commuities. In fact, Toronto offers them up as examples of what make it a great city to live in. Which in turn feeds the need or at least the opportunity to speak to each community in more than just their own language but also taking into account their special cultural nuance.

]]> By: patrick http://diversitymediaservices.com/blog/2008/do-you-remember-the-one-about/comment-page-1/#comment-17 patrick Fri, 15 Aug 2008 14:47:42 +0000 http://diversitymediaservices.com/blog/?p=21#comment-17 The Spanish Basketball eyes ad is a classic example of an error in judgement that actually was not badly handled - although I would have been more forceful in admitting that it slipped through and should have been more thoroughly reviewed - the fast apology and a bit of grovelling seems to have worked as it always does. the lesson in all this is watch out for insensitive cratuve types and think of the politics of everything you do! The Spanish Basketball eyes ad is a classic example of an error in judgement that actually was not badly handled – although I would have been more forceful in admitting that it slipped through and should have been more thoroughly reviewed – the fast apology and a bit of grovelling seems to have worked as it always does. the lesson in all this is watch out for insensitive cratuve types and think of the politics of everything you do!

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